What does the artistic term "appropriation" refer to?

The artistic term "appropriation" refers to using pre-existing objects or images in art with little transformation. This practice involves taking familiar images or materials from culture, media, or art history and incorporating them into a new work, often to comment on or critique the original context or meaning. Appropriation can serve various purposes, such as addressing issues of originality, authorship, and cultural representation.

This concept is embraced by many contemporary artists who utilize existing visuals as a means to challenge the boundaries of creativity and ownership in art. The effectiveness of appropriation lies in its ability to evoke recognition while reframing the original object or image in a new context, allowing for fresh interpretations.

In contrast, creating entirely new images would not fall under the definition of appropriation, as this implies originality rather than the use of existing works. Similarly, transforming existing objects or images with significant alterations does not align with the core idea of appropriation, which typically involves minimal change. Lastly, combining different styles of art together speaks more to the integration of varied artistic movements rather than directly engaging with pre-existing images in the way that appropriation does.